The ultra-orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor has been under the microscope since a group of more than 200 fled Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Que., last November, as a child welfare investigation closed in, settling near Chatham.

Their late-night exodus came amid allegations — not proven in court — of child neglect and abuse by the sect.

Local authorities won a bid to enforce the Quebec order in February, when a Chatham judge — Justice Stephen Fuerth — said the group’s actions had “placed these children at further risk of harm.”

He ordered the affected members to stay put during an appeal period, but they fled to Calgary, Trinidad and Guatemala, many have since been returned to Canada.